Steam-cylinder drain-valve.



Patented Feb. 5, "JUL a. w'. McCDMBS. v STEAM GYLINDER DRAIN VALVE.

(Application filed Aug. 8, 1900.)

(No Model.)

m' nonms versus 00., PHOTO-Limo. wAsHwufuN. n. c.

UNITED. STATES PATENT Fries.

STEAM-CYLINDER DRAIN-VALVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 667,244, dated February 5, 1901.

Application filed August 8, 1900. Serial No. 26,285. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY W. MoOoMBs, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Boston, in the county of Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Cylinder Drain-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has for its purpose the liberation of condensation from the steam-cylinders of stationary and marine engines, while it is particularly applicable to the cylinders of locomotives.

My present invention is an improvement over my former patents numbered 651,878 and 651,879, dated June 19, 1900, whereby I am enabled to dispense with the cylindercocks and their appurtenances shown in the former and the cylinder cocks, cylindercock slides, and right and left piston-rods shown in the latter.

It further consists in simplifying the construction of the supply-cock, reducing the number of its ports and ducts, insuring its efficiencyin afrigid temperature, and in other essential features of improvement, which will be hereinafter described, and particularly defined in the claims.

Referring to the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure l exhibits fragmentary elevations of the forward and rearward parts of a locomotive with my assembled invention thereto attached. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the supply-cock in normal or running position, Fig. 3 being a vertical longitudinal section on line 3 3 of Fig. 6 in open position, with the accessories of the operating-1ever also in vertical section. Fig. 4L represents a plan similarly positioned as to its parts. Fig. 5 designates a plan of the bottom of the same. Fig. 6 is a transverse section of the supply-cock and its coacting valve to disclose its ports, ducts, and steam-cavity on line 6 6 of Fig. 3. Fig. 7 exhibits an enlarged vertical section of the lever and parts actuating the supply-cock valve; Fig. 8, a plan and a transverse section of the graduating-plate. Fig. 9 is a horizontal longitudinal section of the drain-valve case, exhibiting the duplicate steam-ducts and steam-heating vents. Fig.

10 exhibits a plan of the piston, showing its packing-rings. Fig. 11 illustrates a portion of a steam-cylinder with my improved drainvalves suspended at each end thereof, shown in longitudinal section and in side elevation in open position, and Fig. 12 is a perspective of one of said drain-valves detached from the steam-cylinder.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, referring to which- A denotes the cab of the locomotive, within which, accessible to the engineer, is attached to the head of the boiler the supply-cock B. Leading therefrom are the pipes O and D, conveying steam or air under pressure to and from the drain-valves F F, secured to the under sides of each of the steamcylinders to liberate the water of condensation therefrom and also in a frigid atmosphere to additionally convey a moiety of live steam to the drain-valves, raising the temperature therein to insure the proper operative condition of the valve parts. The exhaust-pipe of said supply-cock is seen at E. This is a summary of the operation of my improved invention.

In its present construction my supply-cock comprises the casing M, containing the steamchamber H, Fig. 3, and the semirotative or oscillating valve-disk I therein, having a vertical port I, asteam-cavity I and two heating-vents I 1 with a projection I on its upper face, by which it may be semirotated by devices presently described. A lower body J, Fig. 5, has three vertical ducts J J J communicating or non-communicating with said port I and steam-cavity 1 as the exigencies of the operations may require. Said ducts J J connect with the conducting-pipes C D, respectively, leading to the drain valves, while the duct J communicates with the exhaust E and the heating-vents I I (when employed) with the ducts J J the handpiece R resting at heater position, Fig. 8, said body J being united to the casing M by the series of tap-bolts 0. To actuate the valve I, previously described, its projection 1 is embraced by the bifurcated stem P, carrying a steadying-plate N, and above it a protective gasket N. The said stem hasa suitable packing, as at Q, while the upper end is squared, so as to attach to the hand-lever B, through 'ated plunger V.

which the stem P of the supply-cock valve I is manipulated to perform its functions in connection with the steam or air ducts in the body J, hereinafter specifically set forth in the description of the operation. To accurately gage the several positions of said lever B, and concurrently the valve 1, the gageplate S, Fig. 8, secured to the top of the casing M, orit may be integral therewith, is provided with end stops S limiting the action of the lever B, and four concave ball-rests S,

which underlie the path of the lever B as it I is swung from one position to another, which positions may, if desired, be indicated upon the plate. The devices coacting with said depressions S are contained in the cylindrical taper-bottomed chamber T, forming an integral part of the lever R. Said chamber incloses the arresting-ball U, which is forced into one of the depressions S during the intervals of semirotation by the spring-actu- Its stem V, enveloped by the spring W, recoils under sliding pressure (as when resting upon the plate S) within the recess X of the binding-screw Y, confining the described parts within the chamber T. The aggrouped devices are supported by the threaded stem and bracket, as at Z, Fig. 3, and confined by a check-nut in the ordinary manner. I

I proceed with a description of my improved drain-valve, (exhibited in Fig. 11,) comprising the valve-case F, provided at one end with the screw-cap F and its opposite end with a similar threaded cap F, with a stuffing-box thereto connected, through which passes the hand-rod F secured to the piston K to actuate the same irrespective of the medium described. To reciprocate said piston with steam or air, two ducts F F Fig. 9, lead to the ends F F of the piston-chamber, whence the actuating medium from the reservoir through the pipes communicating with said ducts F F impinge upon one end of the piston K or the other, impelling it to the position observed in Fig. 11, closing simultaneously the passage L and the drain-vent L, as described, each forming an integral partof the case F.

Details of the operation are as follows: Gommencing with the supply-cock B, Fig. 3,

which is shown in open operating position,

and entering the vertical port I in the semirotative valve I, thence passing through the communicating duct J in the lower body J of the supply-cock B, entering the pipe 0, leading to the duct F in the chamber end F of the drain-valve F, thrusting the piston K, reciprocating in said valve-chamber, to the position illustrated. Thus its circumferential depression K simultaneously opens the steampassage L,-communicating from the steamcylinder to the drain-Valve chamber, and the drain-vent L, which carries 0% the surface condensation. Should there exist any residue of steam or air in the opposite chamber end F of the drain-valve F, it is forced upward through duct F and pipe D to the supply cock B, through duct J into the steam-cavity 1*, (also in the semirotative valve I,) thence to the vertical duct J Fig. 6, and exhausted outwardly, as before, at E. Should the handlever B. be now moved to the closed position, (see Fig. 8,) the valve I is thereby semirotated, bringing its port I in alinement with duct J (see Fig. 6,) permitting the steam or air to pass from the reservoir through pipe D to duct F in the camber end F of the drainvalve F, forcing the piston K to the pistonchamber end F, thus simultaneously closing the steam-cylinder passage L and also the drain-vent L by the circumferential shoulder K. The surplus of steam, if existing in the chamber end F, is then returned through duct F to pipe 0, through duct J, Fig. 6, steam-cavity I and duct J the three latter being new in alinement, whence it passes through the exhaust E and to the atmosphere, as before.

The arrangements for heating the drainvalves, so as to insure their working condition in a freezing temperature, are as follows: Swinging the lever B to the position marked Heater, Fig. 8, brings each of the vertical heating-vents I 1 Fig. 6, situated in the valve I and contiguous to its port I and steamcavity I in alinement with the ducts J and J ad mitting small jets of live steam through the conducting-pipes O and D, entering the piston-chamber ends F F through the inclined ducts F F Fig. 9,and escaping through the drip-vents F F Fig. 9.

The merit of my present invention consists in its economy, simplicity, and adaptability to the results sought to be attained without detracting from the working efficiency of my previous patents hereinbefore alluded to.

Having ascertained these improvements through the preferred details of construction illustrated, they are subject to modifications which would not depart from the spirit of my invention and are intended to be included in the claims.

I claim- 1. An improved steam-cylinder drain-valve for exhausting the surface condensation from steam remaining in said cylinders, the right and left inclined ducts provided in the wall thereof to admit and eject air or steam, means for conducting the actuating medium from the engine, the piston-chamber adapted to receive said medium, the vertical central inletpassage connecting with the steam-cylinder, the drain-ventim mediately beneath the inletpassage and means reciprocating within said piston-chamber to control the inlet and outlet passages.

2. In an improved apparatus for draining the cylinders of engines of surface condensation, the supply-cock having a circular chamher, the valve semirotating therein provided with one vertical port and one steam-cavity, in combination therewith the lowerfixed body J, having two vertical ducts communicating with the conductors of the actuating medium from the engine to its steam-cylinders, and one vertical duct communicating with the exhaust, said vertical port and steam-cavity adapted to open or close said vertical ducts, and means to actuate said valve for the purpose herein disclosed. I

3. In an improved drain-valve the supplycock having an internal steam-chamber and ducts leading therefrom, the semirotative valve therein having a vertical port and a steam-cavity arranged to intercommunicate at predetermined intervals with said ducts, the drain-valves having each achamber with inlet and outlet passages, the pistons reciprocating within said chambers and means to conduct the actuating medium from the engine thereto, in combination therewith the Tapered cylindrical chamber, the spring-impelled plunger therein, the arresting-ball coacting with said plunger, and with the gageplate, the said plate, and the binding-screw provided with a recess to receive the recoil of the plunger-stern.

4. In a supply-cock having a steam-chairiber and a lower body J, with inlet and outlet ducts, the valve-disk provided with a port and asteam-cavity, the heating-vents 1 contiguous to the vertical ducts in said lower body, arranged and adapted to coact with the supply-cock ducts J J to transmit continuously a moiety of live steam so long as the operating-lever is thrown to the position indicated as Heater, thus preventing congelation within said ducts in a freezing temperature.

5. In combination the supply-cock having an internal lower body provided with three vertical ducts, a semirotative valve, means to actuate said valve, an intervening chamber to contain and means to receive the actuating medium from the engine; the handlever B, provided with an extension adapted to secure the supply-cock-valve stem, the circular chamber Within said lever, having a converging bottom, the arresting-ball coacting with said taper, the spring-impelled plunger actuating said ball, means to receive the ball at its lowest position to arrest and confine said hand-lever and through it the supply-cock valve in prearranged positions, and the binding-screw provided with a recess to engage with the plunger-stem.

6. The combination of the organized mechanism for actuating and accurately gaging the seinirotations of the supply-cock valve comprising the lever B and its contained devices previously described, with the drainvalve having inclined ducts and outlets leading to and from the chamber thereof, the said chamber, the piston reciprocating in the chamber adapted to control said inlets and outlets, the circumferential depression therein, the abutting shoulder and means to actuate said piston independently of the actuating medium.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 2d day of August, 1900.

HENRY W. MOCOMBS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM S. LEESER, FRANK H. McCoMBs. 

